Tab Picker

Vim-style tab navigation for VS Code, inspired by Barbar.nvim's BufferPick. Press a key, jump to a tab.

What It Does

Temporarily adds [A], [S], [D] letters to your tab labels. Type the letter to jump to that tab. No popups, no menus.

Usage

Navigate Mode

• Trigger: Ctrl+'
• Action: Type a letter → Jump to tab
• Cancel: ESC or any unassigned letter

Delete Mode

• Trigger: Ctrl+Shift+'
• Action: Type a letter → Close tab
• Cancel: ESC or any unassigned letter

How It Works

Uses VS Code's workbench.editor.customLabels.patterns API to modify tab labels on-the-fly:

1. Saves your original labels
2. Assigns smart keys (prioritizes filename letters)
3. Applies patterns like [A] ${filename} to each tab
4. Intercepts keystrokes to handle selection
5. Restores original labels when done

Smart key assignment: Prioritizes letters from the filename first, then falls back to home row → top row → bottom row (max 26 tabs)

Limitations

Duplicate Tabs

When the same file is open multiple times, all instances show all keys:

[A/S] file.ts  ← Both show both keys
[A/S] file.ts

Press A → jumps to first instance
Press S → jumps to second instance

Why? VS Code's customLabels uses file path as the pattern key. Same file = same pattern for all instances. No API exists to override individual tab labels.

Other Limits

• Untitled files - Labels don't appear on unsaved "Untitled" files (VS Code API limitation).
• File tabs only - Doesn't work with terminals, webviews, or custom editors
• 26 tab maximum - One key per letter
• Workspace setting - Labels temporarily modify workspace config

Requirements

VS Code 1.105.0+

Commands

• Tab Picker: Navigate - Activate navigate mode
• Tab Picker: Delete - Activate delete mode
• Tab Picker: Cleanup - Remove leftover labels (recovery command)

Inspiration

Based on Barbar.nvim's BufferPick feature.

MIT License • Made with ❤️ for Vim refugees